About Sitarist Arun Kumar Shaha

 

Sitarist Arun Kumar Shaha was born in Calcutta. After finishing his school from Scottish Church Collegiate School, he graduated from Scottish Church College and subsequently graduated in Law from Calcutta University. Added to his academic qualification he also had a stint with commercial modelling. However, music had always been a passion for Arun Kumar Shaha. He was drawn into the world of Indian Classical music and once he was exposed to sitar, he resolved to become an exponent in it. Consequently, he became a student of Pt. Sachin Sen and then Pt. Rabi Sen. However it was under the guidance of Pt. Manilal Nag, of the revered Bishnupur Gharana, that Arun Kumar Shaha took his training to be meticulously well versed in all the ragas and talas.

The creativity and artistic skill of Arun came to limelight under the able guidance of the formidable guru Pt. Manilal Nag. Today, Arun combines extraordinary skill over the sitar with a tremendous feel for mood.

In his innumerable on-stage and for Kolkata Television, Arun has already stolen the heart of his audiences. Some of his memorable stage performances were held at functions organized by the Indo-American Society, The American University Centre, A.U.C. Jazz Club, Sarba Bharatiya Sangeet Samaj, North Kolkata Music Circle Conference Kolkata University, Lalit Sanget Samsad, Bhabanipur Sangeet Sammelan, I.T.D.C. Music Festival and several other social organizations.

He has been the recipient of the Indo-Am. Award presented by the Indo-American Society, for the best sitarist of 1981.

After having charmed audiences in India, it was but inevitable that he would be invited to England and after several successful concerts was interviewed by the B.B.C. at London. In 1984 between May & July, Arun attended the "SITAR CONCERT" in Germany and England.

He further received invitations from "Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan", "Kala mandir", "India Association of London" "B.B.C. of London", "B.B.C. of London' and once again regaled audiences with his inspired rendition of sitar music.

In 1985 commencing in January, Arun subsequently was invited once again to Germany for a three and half month tour. His hectic schedule consisted of concerts in Hamburg at the Werks-statt, in Bremen at the Ubersee-Museum, where he played as a guest of the German Government.

He had two consecutive concerts in Berlin at the Floz, in Stuttgart at the Laboratorium and in Bonn at the Kulturforum, (Bonn Centre) where he played representing the Indian Govt. Arun appeared in German Television and Radio.

Beside the above, Arun also played before highly appreciative audiences at numerous other towns in Germany.

In 1986 he played at a total of 22 concerts in the months of Nov. & Dec. The concerts at Kiel University, Darmstadt University, Flemsburg University and the Berlin Zeitloss and at Hamburg etc. were especially received with great enthusiasm. His popularity with his audience in the East and West itself testifies to his perfect playing and his mastery over the sitar.

On his return the West Bengal Journalists' Association awarded him with the "DISHARI AWARD" for the best sitarist of 1985.

In the 1992 Kolkata Television took his interview cum Sitar Recital in their caption 'Chena Mukh Achena Manush'.

In 1999 Arun was received in Germany by Indian Cultural Centre, Berlin for two months tour.

He played Sitar concerts in India Cultural Centre, Berlin. ISKON, Unesses, Art Centre and he played nature with music in Ritze village etc.

Arun was given by West Bengal State Music Academy, Information and Cultural Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal "Music Appreciation Course Award" in 1988.

In 2009 A Prominent Television Channel “R-plus” took his interview cum sitar recital in the programme "Antaranga"

In 2010 a leading nationl Tv channel “ETV Bangla” He participited in a very controversial debate on bengali culture.

In 2010 Arun has been appointed a member of the LOK ADALAT Bench in the “LOK ADALAT” by the State Legal & District Legal services Authority West Bengal.

In 2017 CD "Raag Anuraag" with various raagas published.

In 2018 Sitar recital at Scottish Church college former student association on the occasion of annual bijaya dashami sammelan. Sitar recital at Toronto during Durga Puja Festival and Deepavali organised by Prabashi Bengali Cultural Association. Performed during this period at various other programs organised by various communities at Canada. Interviews and performance at Amantran TV Toronto.

In 2019 As a student of the 1969 batch of Scottish Church Collegiate School, sitar recital at Mohit Mancha, Kolkata, on 24.08.2019, on the occasion of 50 years Golden Jubilee celebration of the 1969 batch of the School. Widely appreciated by the huge audience present.

At a very young age Arun could steal the hearts of a wide section of music lovers. He performed in Calcutta Television, in stage performances organised by the reputed Indo American Society, The American University Centre Jazz Club and in various European countries. His concerts drew wide popularity and applause to the extent that in 2018 he was invited to perform at Toronto, Canada, by Prabashi Bengali Cultural Association during Durga Puja and Kali Puja. He was invited, recently, by his own school, Scottish Church Collegiate School to perform on the occasion of Diamond Jubilee of the passing out of his batch, pertaining to the relevant year.

Arun had a hectic schedule during the pandemic when he was asked to perform live in social media in concerts sponsored by various organisations in India and different parts of the world.

However the pandemic did not deter Arun Kumar Shaha from continuing with his love for music. His popularity in India and abroad invited him to perform in facebook online concerts. Association like SARB AKAL Music Society of Calgary Canada, Madhubanti Sangeet Kala Kendra of Bangladesh, etc warmly invited him in such concerts. In India Jaipur Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, Dumraon Gharana (Dhrupad tradition, Dumraon Bihar), Indradeo Center for Performing Arts, etc were too eager to have Arun Kumar Shaha as one of their most popular Sitarist.